The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-10-27

Romin' DER the lea!
John Heyaton, In the Acciieat Ners.
BY THE WAYSIDE.
How Bill Benson Kept the Oath He
Sacredly Swore.
It was about the middle of Dcccm-
Der. Winter had set in in earnest.
The wind howlcd through the streets.
Pedestrians drew themselves into
the innermost rccesses OF their great
coats to avoid contact with the frosty
air.
Near midnight, my days toll being
completed, laid aside my pen.
wrapped myself up snugly and stepped
out into the storm. homcward bound.
1t was an awful nigh'. The hard.
frozen snow lrifted i'll binding clouds
before the biting northwest wind. The
first gust went through my heavy
clothing like knife, and forced me
into run to quicken the sluggish fow
of my blood. Bit few passengers ap-
pcarcd on the streets; the cars had
ceased moving; the night was almost
alone with the storm.
Evening paper. sir. Won't you
buy. plcase?"
1t was the pleading voice Of little
ncwsgirl.
During a journalistic career Of SOW
cral years, had grown accustomed to
appeals like this at all hours and at all
seasons.
There was no attraction for mo at
that moment in any paper. but there
was something in tho plaintive tone Of
the child's words that induced me to
turn and look into the pinched yet
beautiful face.
'Only one left; won't you buy, sir?'
she repeated.
How is it you are out SO late on
such night, little one?" asked.
Haven't sold out yet" was the SIM
pie explanation.
'And will yon 60 right home II I buy
your last paper?"
''Ycs. sir. as soon rs Billy has sold
out"
"And who is Billy?" I inquired.
''Oh, he's my chum; he's over there
OH the other corner" and following
the motion of her hand l saw crouch
ing in doorway the shivering figure
of a ha,f-clad boy. who still had papers
to sell under his arm.
l purchased the girls last paper.
and urging her to get home speedily.
stepped into dark and convenient door
way to await developments. for instinct
told me tina. would find therein not
only food for thought. but material for
future use.
She dash I'd across tho street in the
direction of Billy. needless of every
thing else. whila the cuttiag wind tore
through her thin cotton dress and
threatened to carry her away bodily.
1--WE sold out, Billy" heard her
shout glccfully. as she ran up to the
shivering lal. "How many have you
got lcft?"
Two"
'Tll take one. and let's go home. -
Billys response to this generous pro-
posal was lost in the roar of the storm.
but actions speak louder than words.
Paper. sir!" he cried. running up
10 a man VIII, was passing. Offering
him the latest news from all parts OF
the earth for a cent. But. without
even looking at the little fellow, the
gentleman passed on.
As if in pitilcss contempt for the
unsuccessful efforts Of the little mer-
chant to dispose Of his stock in trade,
the wind howlel and shrieked about
the corners more fiercely than before.
Billy hcsitated but a moment, then
grasping his two papers tightly under
one arm and placing the other, with 8
large half of his ill-titting coat about
the form Of his little girl chum, he
started of in an casterly direction.
could hear no sound of his voice,
but Billy's actions said: Little chum,
you would wait in tho cold for me,
you would even share my loss on thu
papers I couldn't sell; you arc alto
getller too good to stay out this terri
bic night for my sake. SO como home.
My. how. cold you must be. lot MI
keep the wind off," and SO III
wrapped his coat about the frail Great
ure. and placing her on the sheltered
side Of his own half-clad figure, the
newsboy and his friend set out OF
their dreary way.
Tho storm increased in violence
My way would have led mo in the
teeth Ct the blast. and ! was tempted
to return to the office for the night
but the desire 10 know more of Bill,
and his companion burned within me.
An influence that Ihad no inclinatiol
to resist impclcd me to follow them
and before their retreating figures had
disappeared in tho distance I wa,
pressing rapidly after them.
They were engaged in earnest con
versation.
Apparently the topic absorbed all
their thoughts. aud my approach and
the storm were alike disregarled.
Twas near enough to ovcrhear some
of their words and catch some sen.
tences. Billy addressed his compan
ion as Katie. Miss Emery's name wa.
frequently mentioned. and I gathcrct
that Katie went to Sunday-school ant
Miss Emery was her teacher. Katie
waslavish in her praise OF this kint